The processing of nearly 28 Bills which are at various stages in the Senate is part of the workload that awaits Senators when they resume session next week after a two-week recess.
The recess which started on June 29, 2023 in accordance with the Senate calendar and which was approved by members, is scheduled to end on July 18, 2023.
In a communication made to members by House Leader of Majority Aaron Cheruiyot, the resumption of the session will be preceded by a meeting of the Senate Business Committee (SBC) which will consider and approve the business for the week.
This will contain business not concluded in the Order of Paper of June 29th, 2023 when the Senate went on recess, and any other business scheduled by the SBC.
Debate on the County Governments Cash Disbursement Schedule is expected to top the agenda before the House, whose in-tray includes debate on the 28 Bills.
The Schedule is an important resolution of the Senate that operationalises the release and transfer of approved allocation to counties.
In the wake of the Presidential Assent to the County Allocation of Revenue Bill, 2023, the Schedule is an important requirement for counties to begin receiving their share of the equitable share of revenue due to them in the 2023/24 financial year.
The Schedule is submitted to the Senate by the National Treasury in accordance with section 17 of the Public Finance management Act. Its purpose is to ensure timely monthly transfers of funds from the Consolidated Fund to the respective County Revenue Fund.
It also serves as a guide and facilitates predictable flow of funds to the county governments, enabling counties to implement critical functions in delivery of services.
Similarly, the Schedule implements Article 219 of the Constitution which provides that county share of revenue raised by the national government shall be transferred to the county without undue delay and without deduction.
“Following the decision by the President to assent to the County Allocation of Revenue Bill, 2023, it is expected that the County Governments Cash Disbursement Schedule will be introduced in the coming days for consideration by this House,” said Cheruiyot.
Cheruiyot also lauded the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget for the timely consideration of critical financial instruments and tabling of reports.
The scorecard bv Cheruiyot for the period starting February this year, indicates that 28 Bills, 22 motions, 12 petitions and 141 statements are at various stages of consideration by the House.
Out of the 28 Bills before the House, 21 are at various stages of the law-making process, 17 Bills are at the second reading (debate) stage while 4 are at Committee of the Whole (amendment) stage.
In the period after February this year, the House has considered and passed six Bills, three of which have been assented to while three are pending before the National Assembly
The Senate has also considered and passed three other Bills and referred them to the National Assembly for concurrence as required by the law.
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